2 Corinthians 3:13
And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2 Corinthians 3:13
Paul contrasts the veil Moses used with the way readers engage with the gospel today. Moses “put a veil over his face” to prevent Israel from seeing the deteriorating glory of the old covenant. Paul asks readers not to gaze steadily at “the end of that which is abolished.” The point: the Law’s glory was intended to point to something greater, but it could also mislead if people fixed their eyes only on the fading glory. By weaving in this metaphor, Paul prepares to explain that the old covenant is being superseded by the new in Christ. The veil was a barrier to recognizing that the covenant’s purpose has shifted; the true revelation now comes through the Spirit in Christ. This is not merely a historical note but a theological invitation to see how God’s plan progresses from shadow to reality.
This verse underscores the discontinuity between the old covenant’s fading glory and the surpassing glory of the gospel. The veil represents spiritual blindness and misdirected gaze—keeping people from recognizing that what was “abolished” in the old era has found its fulfillment in Christ. Paul’s argument reframes biblical reading: the old Testament anticipates Christ; without Him its full meaning remains veiled. The theological theme is fulfillment and revelation—God’s plan reaches its climax in Jesus, who brings true clarity to the law’s intent. This also highlights the gracious pace of revelation: God gradually discloses more as hearts turn to Him.
In practice, this invites readers to approach Scripture with anticipation for Christ-centered meanings rather than merely literal or rule-keeping readings. It warns against legalistic uses of the law that obscure Jesus. When studying passages like Leviticus or Deuteronomy, look for how they foreshadow the Messiah and the gospel’s fullness. It also calls churches to leadership that helps people see Christ in all of Scripture, not just isolated verses. For personal life, it’s a reminder to seek spiritual clarity through prayer and the Spirit, asking God to remove any “veil” of skepticism or tradition that blinds us from Jesus. It encourages humility in interpretation—letting the Holy Spirit illuminate rather than erecting barriers of pride.
Cross-References: Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 24:25-27; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 8:13; Romans 11:25